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Springfield Fire Department: Family of 4 escapes injury when blaze breaks out in upstairs neighbor's apartment

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12-25-13 - Springfield - A family of four escaped injury early Christmas morning when a fire broke out in an unoccupied apartment upstairs. Dennis Leger, aide to commissioner Joseph Conant, said the cause of the fire was electrical.
(Dennis Leger / Springfield Fire Dept.)

SPRINGFIELD - A family of four escaped injury early Christmas morning in Indian Orchard after a fire broke out in an unoccupied apartment above their own.

Dennis Leger, aide to Commissioner Joseph Conant, said the fire at 71 Healey St. was reported shortly before 1:30 a.m.

Leger said investigators with the Springfield Arson & Bomb Squad believe the cause of the fire is electrical, however, its exact cause remain undetermined. The blaze broke out in the living room and caused some $30,000 in damage to the unit.

The male occupant was not home at the time of the fire and investigators have not yet been able to contact him, Leger said.

Damage to the first floor unit, home to two adults and two young children, was minimal. “It wasn't too bad down there,” Leger said. “A little water came down into the kitchen.”

The first floor unit remains habitable and the family opted to remain in their home, Leger said.